Fury of Brit tourists as thousands of French truckers form crippling ‘human chain’ blockade around Calais… and even find time for a barbecue

Hundreds of vehicles have blocked entrances to the channel and port blocking traffic in and out of the coastal city

By COREY CHARLTON and PETER ALLEN

5th September 2016, 8:13 am

Updated: 5th September 2016, 3:17 pm

FRENCH farmers and truckers today blocked off the main route in and out of Calais in a desperate bid to force the closure of the "Jungle" migrant camp.

Some 180 trucks and tractors carried out a "go-slow" on the A16 - bringing to a near-standstill the route used by trucks from all over Europe to reach Calais and Britain.

AP:Associated Press

Truckers block a highway on the outskirts of Calais during today's protest

Jamie Lorriman

A man grapples with French police at the scene of the blockade

PA:Press Association

Some even managed to enjoy a BBQ on the side of the road

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Protesters cook sausages at the side of the road today

EPA

The protesters have refused to move until their get a response from the government

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Truckers and farmers cause travel chaos in their "slow-go" protest along the A16 near Calais

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Hundreds of trucks line the main artery leading to the port city of Calais

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Farmers who claim the migrants are ruining their land also joined the protest

Reuters

They hope the protest and disruption will help pressure authorities into closing the "Jungle" migrant camp

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Some 10,000 migrants - a record population - live at the illegal camp in Calais

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Business owners and Calais residents joined the protest by marching on foot to form a "human chain"

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They say they will not move from the motorway until the government promises action

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The combined traffic and foot protests have brought transit through Calais to a standstill

EPA

A man lights a flare during the emotional demonstration

The "go-slow" was designed to grind traffic down to a slow pace before residents formed a "human chain" blockade.

These protesters and the vehicles met at the junction leading to the port, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Antoine Ravisse, president of the Grand Rassemblement du Calaisis, a coalition of businesses, said the campaigners want assurances from the French government that the roads in Calais will be made safe again.

"The main image of Calais today in the newspaper and on TV is very negative, all about the migrants and attacks on the motorway," he said.

"The first point is we want the motorways safe again. It's unacceptable that today in France you can't travel without fear and without the certainty that you won't be attacked.

"We apologise to our British friends - our economy depends very much on the business we do with England.

Sky News

The sprawling protest blocked the entirety of the A16 junction

Sky News

Protesters promised to continue their demonstration for seven days

"We apologise to all the families but some of them have experienced very bad times and dangerous times and they will agree it can't go on."

"We are standing here and we will wait until we hear something back from the government. We are not moving until we hear from the government."

Although French authorities have vowed to close the camp, protesters are demanding an exact date.

Half the camp has already been torn down, but it is still home to at least 7,000 migrants, a record population high.

Frederic Van Gansbeke, who represents businesses and shop-owners in Calais, said: "We've had no answers, so we're blocking things up."

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Nicolas Lotin, who runs a logistics company in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer said: "Every day, we have to wonder whether our working day will be ruined, whether a migrant will sneak under the truck's canvas."

Despite the large tailbacks, many motorists passing the other way sounded their horns in support.

Britain's Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett said it seems "certain" that traffic crossing from the UK will find it "impossible to leave the port as access to the A16 is denied".

"If the goods are damaged, they have to be immediately transported back to the home depot."

Migrants from the "Jungle" often create their own road blocks to slow trucks heading for Britain. By slowing the vehicles, they hope to stow away aboard.

In recent months these road blocks have become increasingly violent, with gangs armed with bats and tyre irons threatening drivers.

A member of Co-ordination Rurale, which has a convoy of 23 tractors taking part in the action, said French farmers are being badly affected by the migrant camp.

He said fields surrounding the area are full of rubbish and human excrement.

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A man speaks with a cop during the truckers' blockade near Calais early this morning

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The drivers' blockade was carried out to demand the closure of the vast 'Jungle' camp in Calais

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An officer stands guard at the protest involving hundreds of vehicles and local residents

AP:Associated Press

Truckers make their way along the A16 in a "go slow" designed to disrupt traffic

PA:Press Association

Tractors took part in the demonstration as well with farmers claiming migrants were using their fields as bathrooms

"We are in the blockade with the lorry drivers, it is us who are suffering as well," he added. "The camp must go. They cannot get to England so why are they allowed to stay here?"

Today scores of lorries, vans and tractors crawled along the main motorway from Dunkirk to Calais. Many displayed the tricolour flag, or signs saying "I love Calais" in French.

They formed a total barrier to any traffic coming along the A16. The column will meet up with the convoy coming from the opposite direction and block access to the port.

Britons Matthew and Helen Bolton got lost trying to find their way to the Channel Tunnel.

The couple, from the Wirral, were on their way back from a camping holiday with their three young children when they were diverted by police.

Mr Bolton, 33, said: "We have no idea where we're going, we're trying to get to the Tunnel.

"Basically what the police have done is just block the road and not told you where to go - that's what we're a bit miffed by really."

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Truckers are fed up with the attacks and chaos caused by those living in the massive camp (pictured)

Interior Minister Bernard Cazneneuve vowed last week to close the sprawling camp "as rapidly as possible".

Charities helping the migrants in the camp say the real figure is as high as 10,000.

At the weekend, Dover MP Charlie Elphicke warned it was only a matter of time before someone was killed trying to make the crossing.

David Sagnard, president of FNTR national truck drivers' federation, said: "We have to do this. We have to escalate things, because for months now the situation has been getting worse and worse.

"Before, it was just attempts to get on trucks. Now there is looting and wilful destruction, tarpaulins are slashed, goods stolen or destroyed.

"Drivers go to work with fear in their bellies and the economic consequences are severe."

Meanwhile, French officials have revealed UK-bound migrants are building up to 30 barricades a night to try and attack vehicles travelling through Calais.

Reuters

Calais residents and business owners march on the motorway to form a human chain

Reuters

Locals want the removal of the Calais "Jungle" camp from their city

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Their human chain demonstration is designed to help shutdown traffic in and out of the port city

The astonishing figure emerged after a team of British journalists came close to being killed after a gang targeted their car last week.

Three migrants threw a log at their Audi, forcing it into the path of a 38-ton juggernaut that left the Mail on Sunday team with head wounds and back injuries.

Dedicated teams now spend every night trying to keep the roads around Calais clear of migrants and their debris.

Xavier Delebarre, who is in charge of France’s northern road network, said they were all continually coming under attack, and that there are "between 25 and 30 barricades per night".